Upholstery attachment



April 15, 1930- s. L. WARREN 1,754,921

UPHOLSTERY ATTACHMENT Filed May 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 15, 1930. s. L. WARREN UPI-IOLSTERY ATTACHMENT 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed May 8, 1928 I i /e Patented Apr; 15, 1930 SIMON L. WARREN, OF QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS UPHOLSTERY Application filed May 8,

In the construction of upholstered furni ture it is common practice to mount-a series of spiral springs on a support within a wooden frame, the types of supports for the springs which are employed comprising wood, or metal bars, or slats, and, in the better grades of furniture, interwoven strips'of textile material, known as webbing, which are stretched across and secured to the bottom side of the frame, are usually employed.

. While the top coils of the springs are usually connected to a textile covering, it is customary, particularly in the better grades of upholstery, to tie down the springs so' as to 1 place them under constant tension, and to stay the top and some of the intermediate coils by means of stout cords, which are tied to the coils at various points.

It has also been the general practice, so

far as I am aware, to secure the cords to the top edge of the frame by nails or tacks, which latter are usually driven into the frame sufiiciently to permit the cords to be tied thereto, and then are driven in so as to clamp the cords between the frame and their heads.

In practice the springs are usually supported at the level of the bottom edge of the frame, and, in many instances extend for fully half their length above its top edge, al-

though difference in levels between the top edges of the frames and the top coils of the springs vary widely with different constructions.

As the springs are almost invariably held under a constant tension by the cords, when no weight is placed thereon, under these conditions, all or nearly all of the cords will be under constant strain and will, in most instances, be drawn obliquely upward from the points on the frame at WhlCll they are fastened, so that, when the cords are attached to the frame by nails, as above described, the cords will be drawn against the edges of the heads of the nails, with the result that the heads will in time out the strands of the cords, so that some of them will break. The cords are also usually connected to the coils of the springs at such points that, when the springs are depressed, the coils to whlchsome or many of the cords are attached Wlll be vAT'lACflEtIMIENEl 1928. Serial No. 278,040.

depressed to such an extent below the level of the top edge of the frame that the cords, when attached thereto, in the manner above I described, will be drawn obliquely downward from their points of connection with the frame, so that they will be drawn against the mner'corners of the frame many times, w1th considerable force, with the result that the strands of the cords become worn, out or frayed so that they break. As a result the cords become ineffective and the sprin s become displaced laterally or tilted out o posit1on, so that extensive repairs are often necessary. It is also desirable to stay the middle portions of the springs, so as to prevent them from bulging transversely, by attaching the cords to various intermediate coils of the springs, but, in most instances, if this is done in the manner above referred to, and if the cords are tied tight enough to hold the coils in alignment, they will prevent the coils to which they are attached, and also the coils beneath them, from being de ressed, or will limit such depression to an o jectionahle extent, when weight is applied to the top of the springs, with the result that a large portion of the resiliency of the springs will be lost, and also, under these conditions, excessive strain is likely to be placed on these cords, causing breakage. V

The objects of my invention are to provide means whereby the restraining cords fora series of spiral springs may be so attached to the top of the frame of an article and furniture, that cutting or wearing of the cords in the manner above described, may be avoided, and breakage is unlikely to occur even after a long period. Also to provide means whereby the downward movement of the spring coils, under compression from the top, will not be objectionably limited, and, at the same time, the-coils may be restrained by the cords against transverse distortion. Also to provide means for the purpose above referred to which will enable the work of attaching the cords to the frame to be more readily performed than with the methods now generally employed.

I accomplish these objects by providing a cord attaching device, which preferably comprises a metal ring or loop forming an eye, to which one or more cords may be conveniently attached, and mounting a series of said devices on the frame in positions in which the cord engaging portlons project within the frame over the spring support, so that when the cords are attached to said devices and to the upper coils of adjacent springs in a manner normally to hold the springs under restraint, the springs may be depressed within the frame to the extent to which they are normally permitted to extend above it, without drawing the cords into contact with the frame or with the fastening means which connect said devices to the frame, thereby obviating possibility of cutting, chafing or otherwise causing action tending to weaken the cords in this manner. Also by providing a flexible or pivotal connection between the portion of the device to which the cord is directly attached and the frame, so that the extent to which the springs may be depressed without causing strain on the cords may be substantially increased, and

wearing action on the cords where they are attached to said devices may be practically eliminated.

For a more complete description of the invention reference is now made to the following specification in connection with the acentire webbing support and being com anying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a chair seat frame provided with an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a 'detail sectional view of the frame on a relatively enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cord attaching means, which embodies my invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a somewhat modified form of cord attaching means.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the application of an embodiment of the invention to an upholstery frame.

In the drawings a common form of up holstery construction is illustrated, which comprises a rectangularly shaped wood frame (1 of substantial depth, said frame having a bottom or support composed of interwoven strips of webbing b, which are secured to the bottom side of the frame, and on which a series of spiral springs c are mounted in periendicular relation thereto, said springs bemg arranged at suitable intervals over the adapted to extend for a substantial distance above the top side of the frame.

According to my invention I provide a plurality of attaching clips, each of which comprises a strip of sheet metal bent to provide right angularly disposed side members (i, 0. having the intermediate portion f thereof bent about one side portion of a wire ring, or eye 9, the end portions of the wire forming the same being straight and enclosed within said intermediate portion 7, to provide a form of connection which permits the ring to swing relatively thereto. The members d, e are provided with nail holes and in applying the clips to the frame they are fitted to the inner corner thereof, so that one member, as d, rests on the top edge and the other e against the inner side thereof, and then several nails are driven thru the nail holes of each member to secure the same in position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In practice the springs are usually arranged in rows both ways of the frame and a clip will be secured thereto at each end of each row of springs at all sides, as shown in Fig. 1. With this arrangement the ring of each clip will be pivotally held close to the inner corner of the frame at its top edge, so that it may swing vertically about an axis which is close to, and parallel with the-line of the corner,

and may be held in positions to project within the frame, directly over the spring support and swing towards and from it. The portion of the ring 9 not enclosed by the metal strip ispreferably of somewhat elliptical or elongated formation, to provide suflicient space to permit several cords to be extended through, and tied to the ring and extended in different directions therefrom.

In practice, various cords h will be extended thru, and, in many instances tied to each ring 9, and extended therefrom to some of the coils of the adjacent springs. For example, cords may be extended from the same ring to the top and to the middle coils of the spring nearest thereto, and also to the coils of the two springs nearest thereto at each side thereof, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5.

The particular ways shown in which the cords are attached, are merely illustrative, as the methods of tying down the springs and holding them in position by cords vary widely with different upholsterers. In most instances a cord will be attached to a coil a, or close to the top of each spring, so that practically the entire spring will be held under restraint by the cords, when no weight is placed thereon. Under such conditions the cords will normally be drawn obliquely inward and upward from the frame, and the rings, or eyes to which they are attached will be drawn in the same directions. In case several cords are attached to the same ring, the latter will be held in a position which will be the resultant of the pulls thereon, but, under all conditions, the rings will be held in positions in which they project within the frame over the webbing, or other spring support, in positions which approximate to those shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and \Vhen the springs are ('lepressed, the cords usually limit the extent to which they may be depressed and, unless the frame is very shallow, the springs usually may be de ressed to such an extent that the top oi s W111 be forced as far below the level of the top edge of the frame mediate coil, as indicated in Fig. 2, the extent of depression of the top coils may be somewhat limited thereby, but, when a coil to which a.cord is attached is depressed below the level of the top of the frame, the ring to which the cord is attached will swing downward therewith and thecord will be prevented from being drawn into contact with the frame, as indicated in the dotted line position of Fig. 2. An attachment to an intermediate coil, as by the cord h in Figi2 and as shown in Fig. 5, is usually made for the purpose of preventing lateral distortion of the spring. Where the cord extends upwardly from the ring to an intermediate coil, to which it is attached, the ring being drawn upward when the spring is in normal position, when the spring is de ressed, the coil will be pressed downwar and the ring to which the cord is attached will be swun downward, providing slack cord to permit this movement and yet holding the cord sufliciently taut to prevent lateral distortion of the spring. Also, under many conditions, the intermediate coils, which it may be desired to stay, will be normally held below the level of the top of the frame, so that the stay cord which is attached thereto will extend downward from the ring, which will be normally drawn upward; as in the full line posit-ion of Fig. 2.

Under these conditions when the spring is depressed, the ring will be permitted to swing downward and sufficient slack cord will be given off by the movement of the ring to permit depression of the coil to which the cord is attached and of the coils beneath it, so that the full benefit of the resiliency of the spring will be secured. It will thus be apparent that the cords will be prevented from being drawn into contact with the frame under all conditions, and at no time can they be drawn into contact with any fixed part in a manner which would tend to cut or otherwise weaken them. The arrangement is also such that the pull on each ring 9 under all conditions, whether up, down or horizontal, will be transmitted to the nails, which secure its clip members (1 and e to the frame, in a direction which is transverse to some or all of the nails, so that the strain on the cords by the springs will be ineffective in tending to cause detachment of the rings from the frame. The pivotal connection of the attaching rings to the frame, by permitting vertical swinging movement thereof, substantially increases, as compared with previously employed means, the distance which a coil to which a cord is attached may be depressed from a point above the level of the top of the frame, to a point below this level, without placing the cord under tension, for the reason that when the cord is directly attached to the top of the frame by tacks, it

will be drawn about the inner top corner of the frame, as the coil is depressed below the top of the frame, so that the cord will be taken up thereby, while with the above. described construction the point'of connection of a cord with a coil of a spring may be carried downward from the pivotal oint of the ring to which it is attached as ar as it may be carried upward from this point. The construction also prevents the cord from being drawn about the corner of the frame on extreme depression of the spring, with the consequent tendency to cut the cord. The flexible, or

pivotal connection of the ring with the frame also prevents wear of the ring on the cord, as there will be no appreciable turning movement of the cord on the ring to which it is tied, when the cord is drawn in different directions, as the ring merely swings according to the change in direction of the pull on the cord. Under some conditions it is desirable that the cords be attached to the ring at certain points and that they be held from slipping from these points. In such cases a form of ring is, illustrated in Fig. 4, is provided, said ring being bent to form outwardly curved portions k, W, k in the middle and at each end, which are adapted to receive the cords, and to hold them from sliding from these positions in case they should be pulled obliquely to directions which areapproximately radial. While the above described construction is primarily advantageous when used in connection with a seat frame of a chair, couch or the like, it also may be advantageously employed in connection with an upholstered back, where the conditions are similar, although the frame is usually of less depth and the extent of depression of the springs and the strain on the cords is usually much less.

Vhile a form of attaching device for the cords which comprises an eye, ring or loop, through which the cords may be passed and to which they may be conveniently tied, is

considered much preferable, for many practical reasons, to any other form of cord attaching means of which I am at present aware, other forms of devices for the purpose might be advantageously employed and come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The labor expense,of attaching the clips to the frame is no more than, or even less than that for driving the nails into the frame, for direct attachment of the cords thereto, while the work of attaching the cords to the rings of the clip is substantially less than that for attaching them directly to the nails, so that any increase in cost of appliances em-. ployed is more than offset by reduced labor cost.

I claim:

1. In combination with an upholstery frame of substantial depth having a support at its bottom and a series of spiral springs mounted upon said support within the frame and extending for a substantial distance above the top thereof, a series of metal eyes mounted on the frame in position to project within the same adjacent its top, and a plurality of cords extending through each of said eyes and connected thereto and to top and intermediate coils of adjacent springs,

to restrain said springs against longitudinal expansion and lateral distortion and permit compression thereof.

2. In combination with an upholstery frame of substantial depth having a support at its bottom and a series of coil springs mounted upon said support within the frame and normally extending above the to thereof, a series of metal eyes each 'ivota ly connected to the upper portion of the frame in position to extend over said support and swing towards and from the same, and cords connecting said eyes and the coils of adjacent springs to restrain said springs against longitudinal expansion and lateral distortion and permit compression thereof.

3. In combination with an upholstery frame of substantial depth having a support at its bottom and a series of coil springs mounted upon said support within the frame and normally extending above the top thereof, a series ofmetal eyes each pivotally connected to the frame in position to swing towards and from said support about an axis adjacent the top of the inner side of the frame, a cord connecting each eye and the top portion of an adjacent spring, to restrain the spring against vertical expansion and normally holding the eye in a position to extend upwardly from its axis, and a second cord connected to said eye and extending to an intermediate coil of the spring, to restrain the spring against lateral distortion.

4. In combination with an upholstery frame having a support at its bottom, a series of coil springs mounted on said support within the frame and extending above the top side thereof, a series of metal clips each comprising a pair of flat, angularly disposed members arranged to seat on the top and inner sides respectively of the frame and having fasteners engaged therewith and with the frame, a metal eye pivotally connected to each clip adjacent the angular vertex of the members thereof, and in position to swing towards and from said support, and cords connecting each eye and the upper and intermediate coils of adjacent springs to hold the latter in restraint.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

SIMON L. WARREN. 

